Steve Haskin's Derby Watch--Week 3 (Cont.)

Yes, we know Smoke Glacken was a sprinter, but his offspring have already won going long, and he does have a fascinating female family, with plenty of stamina. Fourth dam, Queen of the Stage, was a brilliant 2-year-old filly champ for Ogden Phipps, winning just about everything in 1967. Plus, Pletcher seems to really like this colt. We'll find out more in Whirlaway.

Got off on the right foot, winning the WEBN Frog Stakes at Turfway. Should rule the roost there until the heavy hitters ship in for the Spiral. A victory on the first Saturday in May would make him the first horse to complete the WEBN Frog Stakes/Kentucky Derby double.

Hard to fault a horse who has finished first or second in seven of his eight starts (dq'd to 3rd in one race). Show a lot of guts to out-battle a tough opponent in Monthir in Hutcheson Stakes. But he was up the track in his only start outside Florida, and it was at Churchill Downs. Good sire lines, but pretty obscure female family. Need to see more.

Fast colt with lots of ability, but he has to show he wants to go long. He does have some solid names in his pedigree. It's just too early to tell. Couldn't match strides with Siphonic in Hollywood Futurity, but was best of the rest. Showed his gameness outdueling Popular in the Prevue.

Breezed 5 furlongs in 1:03 for the Fountain of Youth. One of several unproven horses looking to the Fountain of Youth to show they belong on the Derby trail. Blinkers have helped and in very capable hands.

Getting Bill Mott to the Derby with a George Steinbrenner horse would add a great deal to this year's Derby. This colt is undefeated, and he certainly doesn't have to win the Fountain of Youth to push on. If he's competitive and in the picture, it's on to bigger and better things.

Ran a super race in Lecomte, getting bounced around from both sides coming out of the gate, then fighting hard most of the way, only to be nipped on the wire by Easyfromthegitgo. Has a DI of 4.60, but has stamina in female family. He'll have to learn to take back off the pace if he's to be a serious Derby contender.

Breezed 5 furlongs in 1:03. Fanned 5-wide in Lecomte and was flying through final furlong to finish third, beaten 3/4 of a length. Has shown good closing kick at distances from 5 furlongs to 1 1/16 miles.

Back working again, breezing a half in :48 2/5. Sire was mainly a grass horse, but did win major stakes on the dirt as well. After eight sprints, he obviously was dying to stretch out, as indicated by his decisive victory on Dec. 29 over the highly promising Definite Edge.

Broke maiden by 9 lengths, then captured a mile and 40-yard allowance race at Fair Grounds by 2 1/2 lengths. If he can compete with the Lecomte horses and Repent in the Risen Star, then he'll be a serious factor in the Louisiana Derby.

KNOCKING ON THE DOOR: -- WERBLIN ran a good race in the San Vicente, considering he had only two starts, battled on the lead all the way, and was able to put the tenacious Popular away. Needs to relax and rate off the pace if he's to have any chance of stretching out successfully. What to make of maiden JACK'S SILVER flying home in the San Vicente to get second? He is a half-brother to powerful stretch runner Jamaican Rum. Hard-hitting MONTHIR suffered second straight nose defeat in Hutcheson; still searching for best distance. Others to watch in the Whirlaway include Philly Park shipper COLONIAL TERMS, 10-length winner last out; and English invader GOSHIN'S LAD, wo-time winner over the all-weather track at Lingfield. Friday's Sham Stakes could be a launching pad for several horses with promise. Drysdale-trained BATTLER BOB is a maiden, but has three solid seconds in three starts and has been beaten a total of 1 1/12 lengths. HOT CONTEST closed fast to win a good maiden race last time out for Bob and Beverly Lewis. HAWK'S TOP GUN coming off maiden score for Baffert. Regally bred DEFINITE EDGE from Dave Hofmans' barn broke his maiden at a price, then was second to Holdthehelm. Lukas' $4.4 million yearling SHAH JEHAN not quite where trainer wants him, and is listed as 50-50. JEREMIAH JACK, a disappointment in the Lecomte, came back with a sharp half in :48 4/5. LASER ZONE stretched out to two turns for the first time and held off a pair of Steve Asmussen-trained colts to win a mile and 40-yard allowance race by a half-length at Fair Grounds Monday.